By: Henrietta Avollah Afful
Tianjin, China – At a time when many African countries are searching for affordable healthcare solutions and greater pharmaceutical self-reliance, China’s centuries old herbal medicine industry offers a compelling lesson in how traditional knowledge can be transformed into a globally competitve sector through science, innovation, technology and modern manufacturing.
Understanding Traditional Chinese Medicine — A Holistic Approach To Health
Traditional Chinese Medicine remains widely used in China and continues to play an important role in the country’s healthcare system alongside modern medicine.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) with a history spanning more than 2,000 years, remains one of the world’s oldest continously practiced medical systems. It is a cornerstone of the Chinese culture. TCM treats the body as an interconnected whole, seeking the root causes of illness rather than only alleviating symptoms.
At the heart of TCM is qi or qì, the vital energy that flows through the body along meridians. Health problems arise when qi becomes blocked, too strong, or too weak. TCM also emphasizes yin and yang, the opposing forces in the body whose balance is essential for wellness. Imbalances, such as stagnant blood or disrupted qi flow, are believed to trigger illness.
Practitioners diagnose conditions using the four diagnostic methods: Wàng: observation, Wén: listening and smelling, Wèn: inquiry and Qi: pulse-taking.
Herbal medicine is central to treatment in this process. Practitioners create custom blends boiled into decoctions or processed into pills, powders, covering thousands of plants, minerals, and other natural ingredients.
Dietary guidance is also considered, with foods classified as “hot” (yang) or “cold” (yin) to restore balance in the human body.
Da Ren Tang: Tradition Meets Modern Science
For over 400 years and with more than 500 different types of medicines being produced, Tianjin Pharmaceutical Da Ren Tang Group has stood as a symbol of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), preserving centuries of herbal knowledge while embracing modern methods of production and research in the pharmaceutical and manufacturing industry.
The company has expanded across China and has become an exemplar of how ancient healing practices can adapt to the modern era. It has evolved from a traditional Chinese medicine institution into a modern pharmacuetical and health enterprise.
During a tour of the Tianjin Ancient Cultural Street by some journalists on Tuesday May 26, 2026, it was revealed that, Da Ren Tang sources “authentic medicinal ingredients and processes them in strict accordance with traditional methods”.
From raw material to final processing, the company commits to quality in its production line.
The scent of dried herbs filled the exhibition hall as rows of jars displayed ingredients that have been used in Chinese medicines for centuries.
Jars filled with Chinese herbs and secret formulas, traditional crafting techniques and brief text helps to immerse oneself into the deep cultural heritage of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Apart from producing traditional medicines, Da Ren Tang exports some of its signature products to neighbouring countries and other parts of the world. According to company officials, discussions are underway to expand access to Da Ren Tang products in African markets.
While preserving TCM principles, Da Ren Tang has integrated modern research, quality control, and standardized production into its operations.
Its product range includes remedies for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health, digestive and respiratory conditions, infertility, skin repair, gynecological and pediatric care, and chronic diseases.
The company demonstrates how technology and tradition can coexist: cultivation of medicinal plants is carefully managed, extraction and processing follow strict standards, and rigorous testing ensures high-quality products, all without compromising the essence of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Practical Demonstration
Demonstrating the production process to journalists, an artisan, Lao Ying, carefully crafted one of Da Ren Tang’s signature herbal pills by hand, using honey as a natural binding agent to combine medicinal ingredients into small, uniform doses.
The process, passed down through generations, reflects the company’s commitment to preserving traditional production techniques even as it embraces modern pharmaceutical manufacturing.
While large scale facilities ensure safety, consistency and quality control, the handmade honey pills serve as a reminder that, the essence of Traditional Chinese Medicine remains rooted in craftsmanship, heritage and centuries old knowledge.
This blend of tradition and technology is helping make herbal medicine more accessible and appealing to younger generations.
Speaking to journalists of the 2026 CIPCC Programme after the practical demonstration, Lao Ying, noted that while modern technology has improved efficiency and quality control, the company remains committed to maintaining the traditional methods that define its products.
He highlighted a growing challenge confronting industry. According to him, China once produced more than 1,000 varieties of traditional medicines derived from plants, herbs and flowers. However, environmental challenges, climate pressures and the gradual disappearance of some medicinal plant species have reduced the number of available varieties.
Despite these challenges, Da Ren Tang continues to produce nearly 500 different types of traditional medicines, demonstrating its commitment to preserving centuries old medical knowledge while adapting to changing realities.
Lessons for Africa: Can Africa Industrialize its herbal strength?
Africa, particularly Ghana, is uniquely positioned to learn from this model. The continent has a wealth of medicinal plants and rich traditional knowledge, that can be tapped.
By combining scientific research, modern manufacturing techniques, and enforcing strict regulatory standards, African nations can develop a thriving pharmaceutical industry that hinges on herbs, medicinal plants with therapeutic benefits and global potential.
Accessibility, affordability, cultural acceptance, spiritual, religious and sociological values make traditional medicines a preferred option for many people.
The World Health Organisation, WHO, believes traditional medicine backed by scientific methods, tools and guidelines can make a significant contribution to better access to medicines and achieving universal health coverage in Africa.
What Ghana can learn from China
Ghana has already taken bold steps in this direction through the integration of herbal medicine into its healthcare system.
Through its Ministry of Health (MoH), Ghana in December 2021 launched the MoH Recommended Herbal Medicine List and the Basic Procedure for Assessing Efficacy and Safety of Herbal Medicine Products policy documents to enhance the process of integrating the sub-sector into the national healthcare delivery system.
The move, emphasizes the importance of herbal and traditional medicines in healthcare delivery.
During a closing and certificate award ceremony for 268 practitioners of the Ghana Federation of Traditional Medicine Practitioners Association (GHAFTRAM), Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, in an address read on his behalf, said traditional medicine has long served as the primary care source for many, especially in underserved communities. He noted that about 70 per cent of Ghanaians currently rely on traditional or complementary medicine.
This reaffirms the critical role of traditional and alternative medicine in Ghana’s healthcare system.
The Centre for Scientific Research into Plant Medicine is one body that also researches and develops traditional medicines and has collaborated with traditional health practitioners since 1975.
To ensure Ghana advances in the production of traditional medicines and to protect it as a heritage and national asset, just as in the case of China, Ghana could;
- Standardize cultivation of medicinal plants to ensure quality,
- Integrate Artificial Intelligence and innovation in production,
- Train more practitioners to integrate tradition with scientific methods,
- Develop research-backed formulations for chronic diseases, immunity, and wellness,
- Grow international exports and expand local consumption.
This approach could strengthen local pharmaceutical industries, create jobs, and improve healthcare access.
With the implementation of China’s zero-tariff policy, Africa as a continent, can leverage on its natural resource strength to produce innovative, quality, traditional and herbal medicines to export to China.
A Legacy for the Future
Da Ren Tang shows that centuries-old knowledge can thrive in a modern, globalized world. Its history is a direct witness to millennia of medical achievements, carrying the accumulated wisdom of generation of physicians and ensuring that the theoretical framework of TCM is passed on from a generation to the other.
By integrating heritage, innovation, and rigorous standards, Africa and Ghana have the opportunity to turn traditional medicine knowledge into a competitive, innovation-driven industry, improving public health, creating economic value, and preserving cultural heritage for future generations.
